POLICE closed sections of one of Teesside’s busiest roads due to “treacherous” icy conditions today.

Numerous parts of the A66 have been closed to motorists following a string of accidents between last night and earlier today.

Police have acted to shut off areas of the road between Stockton borough and County Durham and also a section in Middlesbrough.

Cleveland Police have also been inundated with reports of traffic accidents across the region, many as a result of black ice on the roads.

Around 20 incidents of varying seriousness have been reported.

The main trouble occurred between 7am-8am as commuters made their way back to work following the Christmas break.

In one shocking incident on the A66, a motorbike collided with two cars at 7.10am near the turn off for Yarm Road in Stockton.

When an ambulance arrived at the scene it was subsequently hit by another car.

In the ensuing mess, eventually nine vehicles - including the ambulance and a police car - were involved in the collision.

In another incident a heavy goods vehicle jack-knifed at 6.30am on the road, near the turn-off for Eaglescliffe.

Middlesbrough’s Cannon Park turn-off was closed off due to one of the accidents.

Another smash caused police to close the A66 at Greystones Roundabout at Redcar.

In another incident at around 5.40am a red Mini left the A689 in Hartlepool and careered into a hedge.

A spokeswoman for Cleveland Police said: “Police have this morning closed the A66, both east-bound and west-bound between the Cleveland and Durham force areas, including Middlesbrough, as conditions are treacherous.

“Road users are asked to avoid the area.”

Today Teesside’s councils said their road gritters had been and would continue to be working as normal in the winter conditions.

Yesterday the Met Office issued a severe weather warning with temperatures last night said to around minus 5C. Forecasters have already warned that there will be freezing weather for the New Year.

The Highways Agency, which is responsible for the upkeep of the A66 including gritting, said they were working with police.

A spokesman said: “Local diversions are being put in place and we would advise drivers to avoid travelling unless absolutely necessary.”